2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 43owner reports
- 29,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
345 of the 854 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 43 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 43 reports
Dead battery on other Grand Cherokee years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (29 reports), the alternator (8 reports) and the module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
All 11 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Grand Cherokee
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Post 14v-391 headliner fires. Closed jul 6, 2016, led to recall 15V-879.
Totally integrated power module failure. Closed jul 24, 2015.
Air bag non-deployment. Closed dec 23, 2014, led to recall 14V-438.
Headliner fires. Closed aug 12, 2014, led to recall 14V-391.
Headliner fires. Closed jan 14, 2014.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 9,783 and 57,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 13 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Message Service Start Stop System
No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
9 more on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee page.
What owners wrote
“I replaced the auxiliary battery, the main battery and the alternator, and my car is still losing power. I think that the voltage regulator that regulates how much power the battery gets is the actual issue. My car was manufactured in October 2017. Why wasnât it apart of the original recall? I want this fixed. I shouldnât have had to shell this money out when itâs a manufacturerâs defect.”
Filed May 28, 2024
“Auxiliary battery which manages auto start/stop fails. First time battery was tested and replaced under warranty. Failed again two years later - out of warranty. Unsure about risk but depending on who you ask, the failed auxiliary battery can be a parasite to the main battery, leading to potential breakdown. Also misleading fuel consumption numbers due to auto start/stop not functioning”
Filed Jul 11, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 43 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 391 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 76 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 62 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 60 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 52 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 46 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 39 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 26 reports